Method and device for testing venous valves
First Claim
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1. A device for testing venous valves, said device comprising:
- (a) a holding fixture for holding a venous valve sample in a substantially fixed position;
(b) an inflow conduit fluidly connectable to said venous valve for passing a flow of liquid through said venous valve;
(c) an outflow conduit fluidly connectable to said venous valve to carry liquid which has passed through said venous valve away from said venous valve;
(d) a muscle pump fluidly connected to said inflow conduit and operative to pump a substantially pulsatile flow of liquid through said inflow conduit and through said venous valve;
(e) a respiratory pump fluidly connected to said outflow conduit and operative to exert cyclic variations in pressure on liquid exiting said venous valve through said outflow conduit.
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Abstract
A method and device for testing artificial or natural venous valves. The device comprises (a) a fixture for mounting a sample valve on a liquid flow path, (b) a muscle pump component and/or (o) respiratory pump component and/or (d) capacitance reservoir component and/or (e) vertical hydrostatic column component, all of the components being fluidly connected to the flow path to mimic the muscle pump, respiratory pump, capacitance and hydrostatic impedance effects of actual in situ venous circulation in the mammalian body. The invention includes methods of testing venous valves by mimicking known hemodynamic flow conditions within a mammalian body.
244 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for testing venous valves, said device comprising:
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(a) a holding fixture for holding a venous valve sample in a substantially fixed position; (b) an inflow conduit fluidly connectable to said venous valve for passing a flow of liquid through said venous valve; (c) an outflow conduit fluidly connectable to said venous valve to carry liquid which has passed through said venous valve away from said venous valve; (d) a muscle pump fluidly connected to said inflow conduit and operative to pump a substantially pulsatile flow of liquid through said inflow conduit and through said venous valve; (e) a respiratory pump fluidly connected to said outflow conduit and operative to exert cyclic variations in pressure on liquid exiting said venous valve through said outflow conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification